Scouting St. Viator

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLICSt. ViatorLast year: 17-8

Top returners: Marc Clark (Sr., 5-11, G), Andrew Soukup (Sr., 5-11, G), Addison Lubert (Sr., 6-8, F).

Outlook: Coach Quin Hayes is expecting a crash course in basketball for his team, as a young group will quickly be tested against elite competition over Thanksgiving. The Lions' top two scorers from last season, Danny Walsh and Jake Stepuszek, have graduated along with several key role-playing seniors. Senior guard Marc Clark is the top returning player who got key minutes on last year's team, which ended up being just a handful of points from being a 20-win team last year after 1-point losses to Marian Catholic, Marist and state runner-up Benet Academy. Later, a loss to Hoffman Estates in regional semifinal snapped a three-year run of regional championships for the program. "We do have a nice number of seniors who will contribute, but they're coming into it without a lot of experience," said Hayes. "We're young, and I'm sure we'll have some growing pains." Hayes expect those to show quickly, as the Lions have expanded the Thanksgiving tournament they will host to six teams. Joining the Lions are Conant, Evanston, Libertyville, Prospect and Highland Park. "Two of those teams could be in the state's top 10 this year, and another couple of them could be in the top 25," Hayes said. Expected to play significant time for several St. Viator players new to varsity ball - notably sophomore forward Jeremiah Hernandez (6-4), sophomore point guard JR Cison (5-11) and junior forward Pete Lambesis (6-4). Despite the loss of Walsh and Stepuszek, Hayes thinks players such as senior Danny Morton (6-4) will actually improve St. Viator's overall offensive profile - eventually. "I actually think we might be able to shoot it a little bit better than last year," he said. "It might take some time, but we're ready to work at it, and we'll stay at it."

- Aaron Gabriel